Melicent

Perion de la Forêt

Melicent and Perion are passionate lovers, bound by deep romantic devotion and longing across trials.

Ahasuerus

Ahasuerus obsesses over Melicent, manipulating her fate and viewing her as an object of his dark designs.

Demetrios

Demetrios harbors a possessive romantic desire for Melicent, creating tension with Perion.

Callistion

Callistion is a gentle and loyal friend to Melicent, offering comfort and companionship.

Orestes

Melicent and Orestes share a warm friendship, with Orestes acting as a protective ally to her.

Ambrogio Bracciolini

Ambrogio is a witty and loyal friend to Melicent, often lightening her burdens with humor.

Perion de la Forêt

Melicent and Perion are passionate lovers, bound by deep romantic devotion and longing across trials.

Perion de la Forêt

Melicent and Perion are passionate lovers, bound by deep romantic devotion and longing across trials.

Ahasuerus

Ahasuerus obsesses over Melicent, manipulating her fate and viewing her as an object of his dark designs.

Callistion

Callistion is a gentle and loyal friend to Melicent, offering comfort and companionship.

Ahasuerus

Ahasuerus obsesses over Melicent, manipulating her fate and viewing her as an object of his dark designs.

Demetrios

Demetrios harbors a possessive romantic desire for Melicent, creating tension with Perion.

A Preface

Presented as the central figure of domnei, holding an image of Perion that keeps her inviolable despite violence.

Critical Comment

Referenced as the 'silly damosel' whom Perion desires in Nicolas's Tale of Melicent.

The Argument

Described as containing all the world's riches in herself, with sapphire eyes, ruby lips, pearl teeth, ivory forehead, gold locks, and silver hands, and a soul adorned with manifold virtues.

Domnei

The object of worship and idealization in the comedy of woman-worship.

Incipit

Introduced as Dame Melicent, daughter of the great Count Manuel, central to the tale of Poictesme.

Part I: Perion

The object of Perion's desire, fated to marry a king.

How Perion Was Unmasked

Learns Perion's true identity and is deeply shamed and angered, yet agrees to help him escape to Manneville out of mercy.

How the Vicomte Was Very Gay

The subject of the projected marriage to King Theodoret; Perion thinks of her beauty, purity, and her loathing of him.

III: How Melicent Wooed

Woos Perion, offering to abandon her honour and go with him into exile, believing in his innocence despite his confessions.

IV: How the Bishop Aided Perion

Disguised as Ayrart de Montors, she orchestrates Perion's escape and reveals herself on the beach, declaring her trust and love for him.

How Melicent Wedded

Defies her kinsmen by wedding Perion in a private ceremony, then asks for her face to be covered as he leaves.

Part II: Melicent

Melicent is upcast under a heathen castle, alone and in mortal danger in pagan lands.

How Melicent Sought Oversea

Disguises herself as a man named Jocelin Gaignars, cuts her hair, steals jewels, and sails to rescue Perion.

VII: How Perion Was Freed

Melicent offers herself as ransom for Perion, declaring her heart dead, and is later led to a bridal ceremony with Demetrios.

How Demetrios Was Amused

Melicent is now living in Demetrios's house, having been wedded to him. She remains steadfast in her love for Perion and shows no fear when confronted by Demetrios.

IX: How Time Sped in Heathenry

Melicent is lodged in a luxurious pavilion at Nacumera, attended by many slaves, and remains faithful to Perion despite Demetrios's wealth and pride. She pleads for Callistion's life and cleverly tricks Demetrios out of his magic sword.

How Demetrios Wooed

A prisoner at Nacumera, she rejects Demetrios's advances, stating that he purchased her body but not her love. She fears Ahasuerus.

Part III: Demetrios

The beloved Dame Melicent is the object of both Perion's and Demetrios's affections, driving their rivalry.

How Time Sped with Perion

Perion's stolen wife, the object of his quest; mentioned as having a mole on her left cheek.

XII: How Demetrios Was Taken

Named as the ransom for Demetrios and threatened by Callistion.

XIII: How They Praised Melicent

The subject of the Tenson; described by Perion as having amethyst eyes, red lips, bright hair, and white skin; by Demetrios as graceful, soft, and stupid, with a patient tolerance that vexes him.

How Perion Fought

The woman both Perion and Demetrios love; her safety motivates their actions.

XVI: How Demetrios Meditated

Melicent is the woman Demetrios loves and seeks to possess; her life is tied to his safe return to Nacumera.

XVIII: How They Cried Quits

Referenced as the beloved whose life depends on the alliance between Perion and Demetrios; her ring is sold to fund the escape.

How Perion Got Aid

Referenced by Perion as the lady he serves.

Part IV: Ahasuerus

Is the object of Ahasuerus's compassion and farewell.

How Demetrios Held His Chattel

Melicent is held captive by Demetrios, takes pleasure in hearing of Perion, and is horrified by the brutal sword fight.

XXII: How Misery Held Nacumera

Melicent consoles herself with dreams of a younger Perion, walking in an idealized forest, and expresses pity for Mélusine while grieving her own loss.

XXIII: How Demetrios Cried Farewell

Grieves for Demetrios despite his past cruelty, grants him compassion and pardon, and feels a new comprehension of the world and love.

How Orestes Ruled

Returns to the Court of Stars, confronts Orestes, kneels by Demetrios's body, and enters the Women's Garden with pride and fearlessness.

XXV: How Women Talked Together

Confronts Callistion in the garden, speaks of her love for Perion, and shows compassion despite the threat.

How Men Ordered Matters

Confronted by Orestes; learns of Perion's siege and Orestes' plan; laments the curse of her beauty.

How Ahasuerus Was Candid

Listens in horror as Ahasuerus confesses his manipulations, expresses her revulsion, and feels trapped in Nacumera.

XXVIII: How Perion Saw Melicent

Standing on the turrets of Nacumera, attired in white silk with silver bands, her hair blazing in the sunlight.

XXIX: How a Bargain Was Cried

Kneels in her oratory, prays to the Virgin, and later bargains with Ahasuerus, offering herself to save Perion.

How Melicent Conquered

Melicent confronts Ahasuerus, holds to her bargain, and then descends to meet Perion, conquering through her steadfast soul.

The Afterword

The other lover; the chronicle of their love-business ends abruptly.

II

Central figure in the episodic story disembedded from the main narrative.

III

Melicent is the woman who figures as an intermediary toward Perion and, in a different degree, toward Ahasuerus.

Bibliography

Central figure in many listed works, including 'Les Amants de Melicent', 'Melicent; an heroicke poeme', and 'The Soul of Melicent'.